NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: The unexpected encounter
Micah snapped from his thoughts as his mother touched his forehead in concern.
"What's the matter? You suddenly zoned out."
Micah offered a small smile to his mother in assurance and said.
"I am fine, Mum."
Grabbing Elina's hand, Micah stated in a serious tone.
"Anyway, Aria will stay with me. You should better not miss this chance to get this guy into your team, I don't want to hear about it for the rest of my life! You will nag me to death!"
Elina narrowed her eyes at her son and replied.
"When was I ever like that?"
Micah snorted, shifting slightly in his bed.
"Like now! You still bring up that time when I was eight years old and snuck off to the beach with my cousin. All of that is just because I didn't listen to your words!"
Micah shot her an incredulous look.
Aria, who had been standing quietly to the side, nodded along in agreement. But when Elina turned to her with an arched brow, she shook her head and said.
"You are never like that, Mum! I don't know why he is saying that!"
She even opened her eyes wide, showing her sincerity.
Micah scoffed in response and gave Aria a knowing look.
Elina, satisfied, turned back to her son with a victorious expression.
Micah just rolled his eyes.
They all knew the truth. Their mother, despite being kind-hearted, had an uncanny way of making people feel guilty through sweet harmless-sounding words. It was almost an art form, the way she could drop a casual remark in a conversation with just enough weight that you spend the next few hours reflecting on your entire life.
Watching new people fall into stunned silence after a few minutes of listening to their mother's way of speaking was enjoyable entertainment for them.
But, of course, not everyone could grasp her meaning.
Well, this was just the influence of being around intelligent people, it would make your speech more elaborate and complex.
Micah was the last one in the family to realise that.
Micah sighed and did not insist on sending his mother away.
If he forced her too much, his mother, sharp as always, would start suspecting something.
Better to create another opportunity for them.
Micah tilted His head back against the pillow and said dramatically.
"Mum, I am hungry!"
He whined, dragging out his voice like a spoiled child.
Elina's motherly instincts kicked in instantly.
"Here, the nanny had cooked porridge for you."
Elina pulled an insulated box from the bag she had brought and carefully poured some into a bowl for him. The fragrant aroma of freshly cooked rice spread throughout the room.
Micah's stomach grumbled all of a sudden.
Elina chuckled and handed the bowl to her son.
"Be careful, it's hot."
Micah's face turned a shade of pink, he avoided looking at them as he picked up the spoon, eating slowly. The warmth of the porridge was comforting, though it did little to distract him from the teasing gazes of his mother and sister.
He kept his voice casual as he asked.
"Mum, where are Dad and older sister?"
"They wanted to come, but your father had a meeting at the branch in the suburbs, and Willow had to go the factory for an emergency. They both called your phone to check on you, but your phone was turned off, They contacted me instead, yet, you were asleep."
Elina sighed, clearly displeased that her husband and daughter weren't there.
"Oh, right, my phone is dead. I don't have my charger."
Micah mumbled. Last night he had searched for all of the characters and places in the book in a panic state. Until the screen of his phone went dark.
"You, Micah Ramsy, an addict to his phone, let your phone die?! How could you be sane now?!"
Aria gasped dramatically, clutching her chest.
"What's that supposed to mean??! I am not that bad!"
"Yeah, yeah… who was the one shouting in the middle of the night, running through the villa, looking for a charger like his life depended on it?!"
Aria said sarcastically.
"That was an emergency! Our team was finally up against the Eagle team, and my phone died in the middle of the match!"
Micah's voice rose in exasperation.
"Okay, stop it, you two. Micah, don't get too worked up. It's not good for your health. Quickly finish your porridge."
Elina Palmer said, pushing gently his spoon closer to him.
Micah shot a glare at his second sister as he resumed his eating.
A comfortable silence settled in the room before a knock on the door broke the quiet.
A man stepped inside, dressed in a white coat. His posture was straight and professional.
"Good morning. I am Doctor Silas Durant, a neurologist. I am here to examine the patient due to his concussion. I had already reviewed his CT scan and there are no anomalies."
Micah, who had just taken a spoonful of porridge, choked. He went into a fit of coughing, jerking slightly forward.
"Micah! Are you alright? Eat slowly!"
Elina reached out immediately and rubbed his back.
Micah blindly grabbed the glass of water, his hands shaky as he gulped it down. His heart was pounding against his ribs.
Of all the people…
He hadn't expected to meet one of them so soon.
Even though he had looked up their names, just a few of them had pictures.
He tried to control his expression while subtly lifting His gaze to get a look at the man without making it obvious.
Silas Durant was tall with long legs that made his coat seem perfectly tailored to his form.
The image he projected was neat and clean. His dark hair was neatly styled, his features sharp yet refined. Everything about him screamed competence and professionalism.
Micah's gaze went upward, and he came eye to eye with the man's gaze.
Micah's breath hitched and he hung His head down quickly. Those brown eyes were too intense.
This man, Silas Durant was the third Ml, a total scumbag hidden behind the respectable title of a doctor.
Micah swallowed hard.
What were the chances of meeting him here?
In the book, Micah had not hit his head and, hence, was never admitted to the hospital.
Micah did not know how to behave in front of this man who had tormented Darcy. At least he had not directly participated in getting rid of Micah, the fake young master.
He knew he was a beast in sheep's clothing, not one bit a gentleman. A man who manipulated emotions, using kindness as a weapon and guilt as a leash. He had broken Darcy piece by piece….
Ahhh…
Micah's stomach twisted in disgust.